Two San Anselmo brothers accused of targeting homes for burglary in Ross Valley have pleaded guilty in the case.

Michael James Polite, 24, was sentenced to 60 days in jail Wednesday after admitting to a felony charge of possessing stolen property. Two other charges, burglary and falsely reporting a crime, were dismissed in the plea deal.

"This is not a minor case," said Judge Kelly Simmons. "The conduct here was pretty egregious."

Sentencing is pending for his 26-year-old brother, Kyle Johnathan Polite, who pleaded guilty previously to a burglary count. Two other counts were dismissed.

The brothers were arrested last January in an investigation by the sheriff's department. Investigators suspected they were scoping out homes for burglary in the Kentfield and Sleepy Hollow areas by knocking on doors to see if the residents were home.

When investigators found a suspicious car in one of the neighborhoods and linked it to the Polites, Michael Polite allegedly reported it stolen and filed a false insurance claim.

The brothers pleaded guilty in connection with one burglary in Kentfield, but they agreed to pay restitution for that residence and 16 other homes involved in the case, according to court records.

At the sentencing Wednesday, Michael Polite's defense attorney, Douglas Horngrad, argued for leniency, saying his client was "severely addicted" to the prescription painkiller Oxycontin at the time. Horngrad said Polite has overcome the addiction and has no criminal record prior to this case.

"He's remorseful," Horngrad said. "He knows what he put his family through."